World War One films on show in the libraries this month

Eurobodalla Libraries are proud to host a series of events commemorating the centenary of ANZAC and the involvement of service men and women from the Eurobodalla area.

Continuing the series, two films will be shown at each of the three libraries this month and everyone is invited to attend.

These films focus on two World War One soldiers, Victor John Backhouse and David Samuel Anderson, both from the 54th Battalion and both killed in action at the Battle of Fromelles on 19-20 July 1916. This was the worst day in Australia’s wartime history, with 5,533 Australians killed or wounded in action.

David Samuel Anderson was missing in action for 98 years and how this mystery was solved is an intriguing tale in itself. The star of the other film, Victor John Backhouse and the Backhouse family have a long tradition of timber cutting and carting of goods between Nelligen and Braidwood.

Both films are a reflective look into the times, lifestyle and the tyranny of distance for men who travelled half a world away to serve the British Empire, and will be accompanied by short floor talks by the films’ producer Ian Hibberson. Ian will also provide a brief guide through the process of searching for family members involved in WW1 and an introduction to the library’s new database: Australia Remembers.

The films will screen at Batemans Bay Library on Tuesday 19 July, 5.30pm – 7pm, at Narooma Library on Wednesday 20 July from 11am – 12.30 pm, and at Moruya Library on Thursday 21 July, from 5.30pm – 7 pm.

Photographs of Eurobodalla’s WW1 service men and women will be on exhibition at each library, and the events are supported by the Anzac Centenary Arts and Culture Fund Public Grants Program.